Frank Hannigan Passes

Frank Hannigan, a respected former executive director of the USGA who was not afraid to offer his opinions about golf, died Saturday morning in his hometown of Saugerties, N.Y. The announcement was made by the USGA, which did not disclose a cause of death. He was 82.

"Frank Hannigan made contributions to the USGA and the game of golf that were truly immense," said USGA executive director Mike Davis. "Frank was such a neat and straightforward person. His passion for the association and the game leaves a lasting legacy at the USGA."

Hannigan, a native of Staten Island, N.Y., was introduced to the game as a caddie. He later wrote a column for the Staten Island Advance before becoming manager of public information for the USGA in 1961, a time when the association was headquartered in Manhattan.

He later became USGA's tournament relations and manager, overseeing championships until 1978, when he became the USGA's director of special projects.